Alexander Grant (1856 - 1942) was a native of Battangorm, Carrbridge, which gave rise to his familiar name - 'Battan'. As a boy he was exposed to what were to become his two great passions - fiddling and fishing. He went on to excel in both areas; as an angler by inventing his own unique fishing rod known as the 'Grant Vibration Rod', and as a fiddler by leading the Highland Strathspey and Reel Society for almost forty years and by becoming an expert in fiddle making techniques. He also invented a unique disc-shaped violin known as a 'Rondello'. An example of Grant's fishing rod, fiddle and Rondello can be seen at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG).

Grant was a great friend of fellow musician and composer James Scott Skinner, (1843-1927), a major figure in the development of Scottish traditional music, often referred to as 'The Strathspey King'. This letter dated 3 November 1905 was sent to Grant by Skinner from Broomwell Cottage, Monikie, by Dundee. In it, Skinner gives performance advice for several tunes including 'Glenlivet' and 'Lord John Campbell'

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Letter to Alexander Grant from Scott Skinner, 3 Nov 1905, pages 2 & 3

1900s

fiddlers; fiddles; fishing rods; musicians; composers; strathspeys

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

Alexander Grant - letters from J Scott Skinner

Alexander Grant (1856 - 1942) was a native of Battangorm, Carrbridge, which gave rise to his familiar name - 'Battan'. As a boy he was exposed to what were to become his two great passions - fiddling and fishing. He went on to excel in both areas; as an angler by inventing his own unique fishing rod known as the 'Grant Vibration Rod', and as a fiddler by leading the Highland Strathspey and Reel Society for almost forty years and by becoming an expert in fiddle making techniques. He also invented a unique disc-shaped violin known as a 'Rondello'. An example of Grant's fishing rod, fiddle and Rondello can be seen at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG).<br />
<br />
Grant was a great friend of fellow musician and composer James Scott Skinner, (1843-1927), a major figure in the development of Scottish traditional music, often referred to as 'The Strathspey King'. This letter dated 3 November 1905 was sent to Grant by Skinner from Broomwell Cottage, Monikie, by Dundee. In it, Skinner gives performance advice for several tunes including 'Glenlivet' and 'Lord John Campbell'